Appalachia Outreach
Piarist Mission Community Outreach Program in Appalachia
Thank You to Holy Family Parishioners/Donors,
For Piarist Mission Outreach in Appalachia – 2025 Collection
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the parishioners of our community and all donors for your
extraordinary generosity during our three-weekend collection of clothing and hygiene products
for the Piarist Mission Outreach in Hager Hill, Kentucky, located within the Piarist School and
Mission.
About two hours east from Lexington—74 miles of which are along the scenic Bert T. Combs
Mountain Parkway and through the area of the Red River Valley Gorge — the mission sits near
the West Virginia border in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. While
geographically distant, your generosity has made its impact felt very close to the hearts of the
people served there.
Because of your willingness to give, this collection through the Mission Outreach managed and
operated by Audrey Collins and a few volunteers, will reach the children, teens, and adults
throughout the surrounding Appalachian communities, helping meet every day needs with
dignity and care. These gifts offer comfort, encouragement, and hope to families who rely on the
mission as a vital source of support.
The Piarist Mission, with Father John Callan now at the helm, is home to a modest, yet highly
effective preparatory school, dedicated to forming young people for college and life beyond.
With limited resources but extraordinary commitment and a legacy left by the former Father
Tom Carrol, the school proudly maintains a 100% college placement rate, opening doors of
success and opportunity for the students it serves.
Your generosity is far-reaching—touching lives, strengthening families, and helping shape
futures. Thank you for being the hands and heart of Christ in action and for supporting this
mission of service, education, and hope. “If you…satisfy the afflicted; then the light shall rise
for you in the darkness…’ Isaiah 58:10
With gratitude and blessings,
Sharon Burger, on Behalf of Members of OCIA and Social Concerns of Holy Family
Many people in Eastern Kentucky's Appalachia are impoverished and struggle daily just to fulfill their basic needs for themselves and for their children. To help them meet some of these needs, Holy Family Parish collects personal hygiene supplies to help the children and teens in the depressed areas of Appalachia. These vital supplies will be distributed to those who need them by the Outreach Program of the Piarist Fathers’ Mission located in Hager Hill, Kentucky, in the Diocese of Lexington. Between 800 and 1000 children are served by their outreach ministry.
The annual collection is normally held the first two weeks of November. Basic hygiene items needed are diapers, underwear, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. A full list is available in the Narthex during the drive. Your past contributions are appreciated.
You can find out more about the Piarist Fathers' Mission at this link . This project is sponsored by the participants and members of OCIA, the Invitation to Catholic Teachings ministry, and the Social Concerns ministry. If you have any questions please feel free to call Sharon Burger at 812-630-3257 or speak to the members of these wonderful ministries.
